POLITICAL AND TERRITORIAL.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15067, 9 May 1919, Page 5

POLITICAL AND TERRITORIAL.

GERMANY'S NEW FRONTIERS1

ADDITIONS TO BELGIUM,

SAAR MINES CEDED TO FRANCE,

RHINE TO BE UNDEFENDED

The boundaries of Germany are described in two articles, one dealing with Germany proper and the other with Eastern Prussia. The . boundary line.between the new State of Poland and Germany and East Prussia Respectively, and the new boundary line between East Prussia and Lithuania are described in detail in so far as they are not left to be settled by the Boundary Commissions on the spot. The boundary with Belgium follows the line described in the later section dealing with Belgium. The frontier with Luxemburg and With Switzerland is that of August, 1914. The frontier with France is that of July 18th, 1870, with a reservation regarding the Saar basin. - ■ ;' v :•■- ■■'>" ■

The frontier w'iii Austria is the same as that of August 3rd, 1914, up to the point where that of the new State of .Czecho-Slovakia begins. The frontier of Czecho-Slovakia follows the old frontier between Germany and Austria up to the point where the new State of Poland begins. The boundary between Germany and Denmark and a portion of the boundary between East Prussia and Poland remain to be de^ tided by the result of a plebiscite/ • Germany is to consent.to the abrogation of the treaties of 1839,. by which Belgium was established as a neutral State, and her frontiers, etc., fixed and to agree in advance to any convention with which the Allies may determine to replace them. Germany is to recognise the .full"sovereignty of Belgium over the" contested territory of Moresnet and over Prussian Moresnet, and is to renounce in favour of Belgium all her rights over Kupen and Malmedy, the inhabitants of which are to be entitled, within bix months, to protest against this change in whole or in part, the final decision to be reserved to„the 'League of Nations. A Commission is to settle the details of the frontier and various regulations for individual changes of nationality are laid down. Territories acquired by Belgium will be free of all obligations.

Germany renounces various treaties! and conventions with the Grand; Duchy of Luxemburg, recognises that it has ceased to be part of the German Zollverein from January last, re^j nounces all rights of exploitation of railw ays. adheres to the abrogation of I its neutrality, .and accepts, in advance, any international agreements ,as to. .it' readied by the. Allied and, Associated | Powers, r ■: . ? '■";>,■• -.•'•■:/■ '."■' ' ] j ,; ■■:■'.■ As subsequently provided iiv the nlilitary section, Germany iiiust not maintain or construct any fortifications less than fifty kilometres to the east of the Rhine. In the above area Germany may maintain no armed forces, either permanent or temporary,- nor hold any manoeuvres, or maintain any works for' facilitating mobilisation. If the provisions of this article are violated, she shall be regarded as committing a hostile act against the signatories of the Treaty,, and as intending to disturb the world's peace. By virtue of the Treaty she must respond to any request for explanation which the Counc-il of the League of Nations may address to her. v

In compensation for destruction, of coalmines in Northern France, and as payment on account .of reparation. Germany cedes to France full ownership of the coalmines of the Soar Basin with their subsidiaries, accessories and faeilites. Their value is.to be estimated by the Reparation' Commission and credited against that account. The French rights will be governed by German law in force at the armistice, excepting war legislation, Franco replacing the present owners, whom Germany undertakes to indemnify. France will continue to furnish the present proportion of coal for local needs and contribute in just proportion to local bases.

The Basin extends from the frontier of Lorraine as re-annexed to France, north as far as St. Wedel, including the Valley of the Saar as far as the S'aar at Holybaeh, and on the.east to tlie town of LonVburg. In order to secure fcho rights and welfare of the population and guarantee to France entire freedom in working tho mines, the territory will be governed by a Commission appointed by the League of Nations and consisting of five members— one French, on© a native inhabitant of the Saar Valley, and three representing three different countries "other than France and Germany. The 'League-will appoint a member "of: the Commission as chairman, to act.as the executive of the Commission. The

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Commission will have all powers of government formerly belonging to the German Empire," Prussia'and Bavariawill administer the' railroads and other 1 public services and have full power to interpret the Treaty clauses. The 10- --. cal Courts will continue," but subject to the Commission. The existing German legislation will remain as the , basis of law, but the Commission may make modifications after consulting a local representative Assembly, which it will recognise. It will have taxing power, but for local purposes -only • , new taxes must be approved by this ■ Assembly; labour legislation wril .consider the wishes of the local labour organisations and the labour programme of the League. French and other labour may be freely utilised, the former being free to belong to French unions.

There will be no police service, but only a local gendarmerie to preserve order. The people will preserve their local assemblies; religious liberties, schools and language, but may vote only for local assemblies. They will keep their present nationality except so far as individuals may change it. Those wishing to leave will have every facility with respect to their property. The territory will form part of the French Customs system, with no export tax on coal and metallurgical proport tax on coal and metallurgical products going to Germany, nor on , German, products for the Basin, and for five years no import duties on products of the Basin going to Germany or German products coming into the Basin for local consumption. French money may circulate without restriction. After fifteen years a plebiscite will be held by the communes to ascertain the desires of the population as to the continuance of the existing regime under the League of Nations, ' ujiion with France, or union with Germany, The right to vote will belong to all the inhabitants over twenty resident therein. At the signature of opinion thus expressed the League will decide the ultimate sovereignty. In any portion restored to Germany the German Government must buy out the French mines at an appraised valuation. If -the price is not paid within six months thereafter this portion passes finally to France. If Germany buys back tlie mines the League will determine how much coal shall go to France.

ALSACE-LORRAINE.

. After recognition of the moral obligations to repair the wrong done in 1871 by Germany to Prance and the people of 'Alsace-Lorraine, the territories ceded to Germany by the Treaty of Frankfort are restored to France with their frontiers as before 1871 to date as from the signing of the armistice, and free from all public debts. Citizenship is regulated by detailed provisions distinguishing those who are immediately restored to full French citizenship, those who have to make formal '• application therefor, and those for whom naturalisation is open' after, three years. The last-named class includes German residents in Alsace-Lor-raine as distinguished; from those who acquire the position of Alsace-Lorrain-ers as defined by the Treaty. All public property, jand all private property of German ex-Sovereigns passes to France without payment or : credit. France is substituted for Germany as regards ownership of railroads and rights over concessions for tramways. The Rhine bridges, <pass to France with an obligation for, their upkeep for five years. The manufactured products of Alsace-Lorraine, will be admitted to Germany free of duty to a total amount not exceeding,,that of the three years preceding the war, and textile materials may be imported from Germany to Alsace-Loraine and re-exported free of duty. Contracts for electric power from the right bank must be continued for. seven vearg, with a possible extension to: teni:>-.i3je:'-Rprts:pf..^:ehX:and Strassburg shall "be: administered as a single, unit by a French administrator appointed and supervised by the Central Rhine Commission. ■

Property, rights will be safeguarded in both ports, and equality of treatment as respects. traffic assured the national vessels and goods of every country. ■ .

Contracts between Alsace-Lorrainers and Germans are maintained, save for Prance's right to annul on grounds of nublic interest. Judgments of the Courts hold in certain classes of cases, while in others a judicial consequatur is first required. Political condemnations during the war are null and void, and the obligation to pay war fines is established as in other parts of Allied territory.

Various clauses adjust the general provisions of the Treaty to the special conditions of Alsace-Lorraine, certain matters of execution being left to conventions to be made between France and Germany.

GERMAN AUSTRIA. . . The entire independence of German Austria is recognised by Germany.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Germany recognises the entire independence of the Czeeho-Slovakic States ; including the autonomous territory of the Ruthenians >south of the Carpathians, and accepts/the frontiers of this State as they may be determined, which in the case of the German frontier shall follow the old frontier of Bohemia in 1914. i ': "

POLAND.

Germany cedes to Poland the greater part of Upper Silesia. Posen, and the province of West Prussia on the left bank of the Vistula; A boundary commission of seven, of whom five shall represent the Allied and associated Powers and one each Poland and Germany > shall be constituted within fifteen days of peace to delimit this boundary. Such special provisions as may be necessary to. protect racial or religious minorities shall be laid down in a . subsequent' treaty between the Allied and associated Powers and Poland.

EAST PRUSSIA

The southern and eastern frontier of East Prussia, as facing Poland, is to be fixed by plebiscites, the first in the- regency of Allen stein, between the - southern frontier of East Prussia and the northern frontier of Regie-rungsbespki-Allon.stein, from where it meets the boundary between East and West Prussia to its junction with the boundary between the circles of Oletsko and Augsburg, thence the northern boundary- of Oletsko to its junction with the. present frontier; and the second in the area comprising the circles of Stuhm and Rosenberg and the parts of the circles of Marienberg and Mnrienwcrdn east of the Vistula. In each case the German troops and authorities will move out v.-i*hri fifteen days of peace, and the territories will bo placed under an international commission of five members appointed by the.five Allied and assnoinWl Powers, with the particular duty of arranging for a free, fair, and secret vote. The commission- will report the results of the plebiscites to the five Powers, with a- recommendation for the boundary, and will terminate its work as soon as the boundary is laid down, and thei

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new authorities are set up. The five Allied and ;:ssociated Powers will draw up regulations assuring East Prussia full and equitable access to and the use of the Vistula.

A subsequent convention, of which the terms will be fixed by the five Allied and associated Powers, will be entered into between Poland and Germany and Dantzig to assure suitable railroad communication across German territory on the right bank of the Vistula, between Poland and Dantzig, while Poland shall grant free passage from East Prussia to Germany. The north-eastern corner of East Prussia about Memel is to be ceded by Germany to the associated Powers, the former agreeing to accept the settlement made, especially as regards the nationality of the inhabitants.

DANTZIG

Dantzig and the district immediately about it is to be constituted into a free city under the guarantee of the League of Nations. A High Commissioner appointed by the League and resident at Dantzig shall draw up a constitution in agreement with a duly appointed representative of the city, and shall deal in the first instance with all differences arising between the city and Poland. The actual boundaries of the city shall be delimited by a commission appointed within six months from peace, and to include three representatives chosen hj the Allied and associated Powers, and one each by Germany and Poland, A convention, the terms of which, shall be fixed by the five Allied and associated Powers, shall be concluded between Poland and1 Dantzig, which shall include Dantzig within the Polish Customs frontiers, though with a free area in the port; insure to Poland the use of all the city's waterways, docks, and other port facilities, control and administration of the Vistula and the whole through-rail-way system within the city, and postal, telegraphic and telephonic communication between Poland and Dantzig; provide against discrimination against the Poles within the city, and place its foreign relations and the diplomatic protection of its citizens abroad in charge of Poland.

DENMARK

The frontier between Germany and Denmark is to be fixed in accordance with the wishes of the population, a vote being taken in Northern Schleswig as a whole and in-portions of Central Schleswig by communes. Ten days from peace the German troops and authorities must evacuate the region north of a line running from the mouth of the Schlec, sou+^i of Kappel, Schleswig, and Friedriehstadt, along the Zuyder to the North Sea south of Touning, and the Workmen's and Soldiers' Councils in the zone must be dissolved. During the voting the zone win be under the charge of an International Commission of five members, of whom the Norwegian and Swedish Governments will be invited to choose two. The Commission will'temporarily have general powers of administration. After the result of the voting has been declared the Danish Government may occupy those territories which have j voted for Denmark, and Germany shall renounce sovereign rights in these ter-l ritories. AH the inhabitants will then acquire Danish nationality with certain exceptions. £' ' \

Provisions are made for individual change of nationality hinder certain, conditions.

HELIGOLAND

The fortifications, military (establishments, and harbours of the islands of Heligoland and Dune-are to be destroyed under the supervision, of the Allies by German labour and at Germany's expense. They are not to be reconstructed, nor are any similar works to be constructed in the. future.

RUSSIA;

Germany ' \i. .to recognise and respebt the full independence of all the territories which formed part of the former Russian Empire. Germany is to accept definitely the annulment of the Brest Litovsk treaty and: all treaties or agreements of all kinds concluded by Germany since the revolution of November, 1917, with all Governments or political groups in the territory of tHe former Russian Empire. The Allies reserve all rights on the part of Russia for restitution and satisfaction to be obtained from Germany.